The Stay Hotels has launched a quartet of properties in Turkey, including three in Istanbul – Bebek, Nisantasi and Ortakoy – and one in Alacati on the popular Cesme Peninsula, with each rooted in the fabric of its locale.
Whether a 19th-century mansion on the banks of the Bosphorus or a sleek property at the heart of Istanbul’s Fashion Quarter, the brand’s hotels feature no more than 44 rooms apiece and have been designed by the likes of multidisciplinary studio Autoban and Turkish architect Mahmut Anlar with the environment in mind.
Celebrating the arts is also core to The Stay Hotels ethos; every property features curated artwork, and – subject to Covid restrictions – hosts a roster of in-person and virtual events with established and upcoming local talent, including live theatre weekends and art and fashion talks. In-the-know concierges are on hand to reveal new happenings and arrange authentic excursions, including meetings with local designers such as Rifat Ozbek, Atil Kutoglu and Aida Bergsen, as well as artists who have work displayed in the properties.
Bebek Hotel by The Stay, Istanbul
A historic and elegant waterfront property in Istanbul’s Bebek district, The Bebek Hotel has attracted a discerning crowd since its opening in the 1950s. In 2001, the property underwent a major renovation, and later fell into disrepair. In 2019, the property was taken over by The Stay Hotels, who have injected a new lease of life and luxury. Interiors by Turkish architect Mahmut Anlar interweave historic charm – combining original Art Deco details such as its iconic bar and restored wooden wall panelling – with modern craftsmanship, with 22 suites featuring rich colour palettes, with marine-inspired turquoise carpets, subtle neon lighting, Deco lampshades and French windows that frame views of the Bosphorus. As well as a Chinese restaurant, there’s a lounge for Mediterranean-inspired fare, and a rooftop bar with panoramas of the river.
The Stay Bosphorus, Istanbul
In the heart of Istanbul’s Ortakoy neighbourhood, next to the Bosphorus Bridge that connects Europe and Asia, The Stay Bosphorus is a 19th-century mansion, reimagined as a 26-room urban retreat. Built by the Balyan family – responsible for much of the city’s Ottoman architecture including the Dolmabahce Palace – the five-storey property has inspired poets, writers and painters for decades with its views of the Bosphorus Bridge and neighbouring Ortakoy Mosque. Its new design is by Autoban and blends original Ottoman authenticity with modern pizazz, with refined guestrooms featuring creamy colour palettes, statement globe chandelier lighting, asymmetrical wooden tables, and hammam-inspired marble and glass bathrooms.
The Stay Nisantasi, Istanbul
Surrounded by Art Nouveau residences in Istanbul’s fashionable Nisantasi neighbourhood, The Stay Nisantasi is a 44-room hotel that sits above a flagship Prada store and is moments from boutiques by Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes and Rifat Ozbek. Elegant rooms with crisp, contemporary interiors, oak panelled walls, bespoke furniture and luxe Carrara and Bursa marble bathrooms, together with a communal library lounge, have also been designed by Autoban. Istanbul’s chic cafes and restaurants are on the doorstep, while city landmarks such as the Dolmabahce Palace and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art are close by too.
The Stay Warehouse, Alacati
Combining industrial flair with coastal cool on Turkey’s Cesme Peninsula, The Stay Warehouse is housed within a former industrial building and boasts 24 rooms. Located in the seaside town of Alacati, the adults-only hotel is centred a garden filled with olive trees and a 23m outdoor pool, while its library is packed with art and architecture books, and hosts a year-round programme of musical performances, culinary workshops, art exhibitions, theatre weekends and film festivals. Guests are just a stone’s throw from sandy beaches and the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, and have access to a private pier at the nearby Plage Isolée beach club.
